Can I Wear Lipstick If I Have Dental Implants Due to Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a serious condition that can cause irreparable damage to your teeth if not treated properly. In serious cases, you may lose your teeth entirely and need dental implants.

Fortunately, cosmetics such as lipstick have no connection to this process. You can still wear lipstick, even if you have dental implants due to periodontal disease.

GUM DISEASE AND DENTAL IMPLANTS

Gum disease develops due to poor oral hygiene. It consists of bacterial infections in the pockets around your teeth that cause your gums to become swollen and your teeth to decay. It can be prevented by careful daily brushing and flossing around your teeth.

If gum disease is allowed to progress, the damage to your teeth may become irreparable. Fortunately, your teeth can be replaced by dental implants. Because they are made out of artificial materials such as titanium, implants are immune to the damage caused by gum disease.

Some patients have asked whether they need to throw away items that came in contact with the gums while they were diseased, such as old toothbrushes and lipstick. The answer is no. Gum disease is not a contact disease; it does not travel by touch. If you use lipstick that you used while having gum disease, you are not reinfecting yourself because by definition, periodontal disease resides in the gums and is not a virus that exists separately in the world.

It is a good idea to replace your toothbrush, but this is only because it is always good to replace your toothbrush on a regular basis, so the bristles can remain strong and hard to reach out-of-the-way places.

Lipstick has no ill effects on teeth, artificial or otherwise. You can feel free to safely wear it anytime. If you have further questions, contact Wilshire Smile Studio for expert answers.